For the third-ranked Killdeer Cowboys, it wasn’t about how they started but how they finished, overcoming a rocky first quarter to defeat the Valley City Hi-Liners 58-44.

Valley City came out strong in the opening frame, powered by the slashing and shooting of Bryson Heck, who scored 10 of his team’s 18 points in the quarter. The Hi-Liners built an 18-9 lead, but a late fast-break play saw Heck land awkwardly, forcing him to sit out the early stages of the second quarter.

Heck’s absence opened the door for Killdeer, and the Cowboys capitalized, quickly erasing Valley City’s nine-point advantage. Senior Owen Schleppenbach led the charge, scoring 11 points in the first half. He was joined by fellow seniors Kale Hansen, Cooper Bang, and Jaxon Reese, who chipped in key points during the second quarter. Meanwhile, the Hi-Liners struggled offensively, heading into halftime trailing 29-27.

The third quarter proved to be even tougher for Valley City, as they managed only four points in the frame. Killdeer’s senior-led lineup continued to build momentum, extending the Cowboys’ lead to 45-31 by the end of the quarter. In total, Killdeer outscored Valley City 36-13 after the first quarter.

A brief fourth-quarter rally by Heck pulled the Hi-Liners within eight points, but Killdeer weathered the storm and secured the 58-44 win.

Valley City will look to bounce back on Saturday when they face the Beulah Miners at 4 p.m. at the Hi-Liner Activities Center. Fans can catch the action live on 1490 AM/96.3 FM KOVC or stream it online at NewsDakota.com.